The days might be getting shorter, the racing might be (arguably) winding down, but there's plenty to watch this weekend.
Here's one race from each code that you must watch, and why:
- Thoroughbred racing -
South Australian Derby, Saturday, 6.55pm: It's a Derby.
Does anything else need to be said?
Just before the Queensland carnival gets fully into stride, Saturday's racing at Morphettville is worth a peek.
If you're following the Tavistock trend in derbies, Bullish Stock is worth a look at long odds.
- Harness racing -
Nevele R Fillies final at Addington, Saturday, 3.14pm: Last year, it was all about Dream About Me and no-one else in the juvenile fillies ranks. Now she has her stablemates, Golden Goddess and Picadilly Princess, to worry about, never mind the improving Luisanabelle Midrew. Golden Goddess could be the one to beat from barrier 1.
- Greyhound racing -
NZ Futurity Final at Hatrick, Friday, 8.14pm: this restricted age final features some serious talents.
Opawa Shackley and Kava Blu give Jean and Dave Fahey a strong hand, but it's hard to ignore Top Prosecutor out of box 7 following his 29.65sec win in the heats last week.
Pinking it up
One of the success stories in Otago over the last few years is the Think Pink Raceday at Wingatui on Queen's Birthday Weekend (June 5 this year, to be precise).
In the past two years about $15,000 has been raced for the New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation.
Quite rightly, the event is back again this year, and the "Oaks'' for track riders is on once again.
It's pretty clear from the smiles as the riders return to the birdcage that the track riders love the opportunity to race in a field larger than two or three over 800m - even if some of the horses are more suited to 2200m or further.
The event has been slightly renamed this year to Positively Pink.
General admission is a gold coin donation, but there is also a high tea option.
Autumn delight
The lack of rain has been a horror for South Island farmers.
Rain is well overdue to turn some of those dry paddocks into lush pastures.
There is one small bonus as a few more handy open handicappers are sticking on with their campaigns.
The track for Winton on Sunday was rated a dead6 yesterday, and the Wairio Cup has attracted a good field as a result.
Absolut Excelencia, Timy Tyler and Hexie Hao are all regulars in top group and listed races at Riccarton.
Lazy Fiver
The leaders got away on Zachary Binx at Oamaru on Saturday, and he had to settle for third.
Take Golden Goddess and More The Better in the two features (races 7 and 9) at Addington on Saturday for a nice little double-up.
